Afghan Taliban Strikes Back at Pakistan After Deadly Airstrikes

Afghan Taliban forces have targeted multiple locations within Pakistan. This action comes in direct response to Pakistani airstrikes conducted earlier this week in Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province, which resulted in 46 casualties including women and children, as per Afghan officials.

 

 

The Afghan Defense Ministry confirmed the retaliation, stating that Taliban forces targeted “hideouts and bases” in Pakistan used to plan attacks in Afghanistan.

 

 

The Afghan Defense Ministry, while not directly naming Pakistan, stated that the operations were conducted beyond the ‘hypothetical line’, a term Afghan officials use to refer to the Durand Line, a disputed border established by British colonial authorities in the 19th century. This contested boundary, running through volatile tribal regions, has long been a source of tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with Kabul refusing to recognize it as an official border.

 

 

The ministry added, “We will not tolerate attacks on our soil and will respond to aggression appropriately.”

 

 

Pakistan had launched the airstrikes earlier, aiming to destroy what it called a terrorist training camp. However, Afghan officials and locals said the operation caused heavy civilian casualties, leaving families devastated.

 

 

Pakistan has not officially commented on the Taliban’s retaliation. However, in recent months, Islamabad has accused the Afghan Taliban government of failing to prevent cross-border attacks by terrorist groups. The Taliban has denied these allegations, asserting that it does not allow its territory to be used for aggression against other nations.